Options for getting a high res picture printed very small?

[RedRooster]

Is there even technology out there that you could get a cropped digital picture put onto a locket-sized print out while maintaining much of the quality? It would just look awful to print it on a 1200dpi color laser, but can printing companies print something so small with very high resolution?

 

[Texashiker]

Wal-mart photo lab.

Create a wal-mart account, upload your images, send to photo lab, pick image size.

 

[yhelothar]

I don't understand what your issue is. Printing a high resolution picture very small is the most ideal situation possible for maximizing quality.

You could just print it on an inkjet printer.

 

[RedRooster]

I know, but inkjets and lasers' dpi isn't big enough when you print those tiny pictures and they end up looking pixely. I have great source photos, but the output is what I'm wondering about. Somewhere that can print at a higher res than a standard inkjet or laser. Maybe I just need to try Walmart or the like and see if they can even print a photo that small.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Dye sublimation printer

 

[lord_emperor]

Go to a printing store that has nicer printers.

 

[rivan]

A photo lab's going to probably be your best bet.

Or, as others have said, a high end inkjet might suit you like is used for commercial print proofing.

Presumably you're wanting something that will last a long time, and that would push me back to a photo lab. Look to see if there's a pro lab in your city.

 

[rivan]

Dye sublimation printer

Most dye subs I've used aren't very sharp. They're capable of gorgeous color, but they're a bit soft, which is what the OP is trying to avoid.

 

[yhelothar]

You'd have to go to a photo lab then.
My $30 inkjet printer makes waay better prints than walmart/kinkos.
I was quite surprised at how horrible the quality is at those places.

If you use good photo paper, there shouldn't be pixelation with an average inkjet printer set at maximum quality.

 

[Texashiker]

My $30 inkjet printer makes waay better prints than walmart/kinkos.
I was quite surprised at how horrible the quality is at those places.

There must be something wrong with your wal-mart.

Just about everyone at the local photo club has their contest pictures printed out at wal-mart or walgreens.

 

[yhelothar]

There must be something wrong with your wal-mart.

Just about everyone at the local photo club has their contest pictures printed out at wal-mart or walgreens.

Actually my experience is that I had a family photo to print out that I finished editing on my color calibrated IPS screen.

First I went to CVS and it turned out slightly grainy with over contrast and a slight cast of red.

Then I went to kinkos and it turned out coarse with a tinge of purple...

Then a week later.. i said fuck it and went out and got a $30 hp photosmart off craigslist and it printed it out just like how it looks on my monitor.